Yoga May Improve Symptoms of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Yoga helps to lower blood pressure and heart rate when paired with standard treatment in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), according to new research.

Yoga is a complementary therapy for many patients with PAF, but few studies have explored the effects of yoga in improving the symptoms of PAF.
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To conduct their study, researchers randomized 80 patients with PAF to receive either standard treatment alone or standard treatment with yoga for 3 months. Patients in the yoga group participated in a 1-hour weekly yoga session, which featured light movements, deep breathing, and meditation.

Researchers recorded blood pressure and heart rate and assessed physical and mental quality of life via questionnaires at baseline and at 3 months.

At the end of the study, researchers found that patients in the yoga group had a significantly lower heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared with those in the control group.

In addition, yoga improved patients’ mental health and quality of life scores.

“Yoga with light movements and deep breathing may lead to improved quality of life, lower blood pressure, and lower heart rate in patients with PAF compared to a control group,” researchers concluded. “Yoga could be a complementary treatment method to standard therapy.”

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Wahlstrom M, Karlsson MR, Medin J, Frykman V. Effects of yoga in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation – a randomized controlled study. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. Published online. March 14, 2016. doi:1474515116637734.